My Turntable
Bridge
MRWAIN's turntable is very basic at the moment: it consists of a piece of aluminium suitable in length to accommodate my longest locomotive.
This turntable will have a dramatic (excuse the pun) turnaround shortly where it will morph into a Gallows style unit.
Stepper motor
The stepper motor has .025 degree resolution resulting in 14,400 steps in the 360 degrees of rotation.
When connected to my PTC 3 controller it makes for very precise indexing when aligning the bridge with the lead/radial tracks.
Slip Rings
Slip Rings are a necessary component used in the construction of the turntable.
They provide a means of routeing power to the bridge rails and still allows the shaft to rotate 360 degrees.
Gallows turntable: my modified turntable will look similar to the above when finished.
Programmable Turntable Indexing System
The PTC Model 3 (Programmable Turntable Controller) is a user programmable turntable indexing system for use in new or existing N, HO, S, O, and some G scale turntables. The turntable’s indexing positions are programmed into the PTC by the user, who “teaches” the PTC where the lead and service track positions are.
What is a turntable/Wye have one?
A railway turntable is a device for turning locomotives so that they can be moved back in the direction from which they came.
In real life situations railways were reluctant to build turntables because of the cost involved.
They would always build a wye wherever possible.
With MRWAIN I wanted the ability to turnaround a loco, so a turntable was a given.
I built one from bits and pieces laying around.
Now, if I did have a requirement for a second turntable the cost factor would come into consideration because of the turntable controller.
To purchase a model 4 controller from www.nyrs.com would have left me little change from AU$1000: that's if you can get one.
They don't have an on-line shop so the fun and games begin with payment.
Also be aware of freight charges from America to Australia, they can be quite high.
The railway will run AC6000 loco's among others, so I may have to place a catch net under the turntable because there is not much room on the bridge for error.
Space Efficiency: Turntables allow locomotives to be turned around in a limited space, which is especially useful in compact layouts where space is at a premium.
Operational Realism: Incorporating a turntable adds realism to the model railway by mimicking the operations of real railways, where turntables are used to change the direction of locomotives.
Versatility: With a turntable, various tracks can be accessed from a single point, offering more operational flexibility and enabling complex train movements and setups.
Historical Accuracy: For those modelling specific eras or railway companies, a turntable can be an important feature to accurately represent historical railway operations.
Overall, a turntable enhances the functionality, realism, and aesthetic appeal of a model railway, making it a valuable addition for enthusiasts.